Interior Colour Code Question

[ajb986]

I am a new owner of a 2000 Boxster S. The S appears to have led a sheltered life with a lowly 20k on the clock. It is totally amazing in every respect and has surpassed every expectation.

Although in near immaculate condition it has some wear to the drivers seat edge and I am therefore considering giving this minor blemish, on an otherwise perfect car, some attention.

The colour code is CB, a light grey. Can anyone help me identify the factory colour name. If I have used the wrong code, I am sure someone will correct me and I will readvise accordingly.

If I decide to proceed with this work, can anyone recommend a trimmer in Lancashire or would you advise a OPC replacement cover.

On another note, I have read in my maintenance manual that the Boxster originally came from Motokinishi Porsche distributor in Nicosia. Why was this? Could this have been as a result of demand for the model during this period and the need for inter company trading to meet demand? Is this common practice?

The car was delivered in September 2000 to a UK OPC with 51 miles on the clock.

The latter point is not an issue, just interested to know.

Thank you, in anticipation of your assistance.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If you mean "CE" then that is Graffiti Grey (Sometimes also known as Graphite Grey - just to confuse![])

Which OPC was it delivered to - because that really IS weird...?

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

If you mean "CE" then that is Graffiti Grey (Sometimes also known as Graphite Grey - just to confuse![])

Which OPC was it delivered to - because that really IS weird...?

"Sounds normal to me" says the proud owner of a UK OPC ordered and supplied car without a C16 option code. [&:]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Ah yes - but you know the reason why though John - and it's not because your car went to Cyprus first...[]

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

Ah yes - but you know the reason why though John - and it's not because your car went to Cyprus first...[]

Well I know it didn't go to Cyprus but I don't really have a reason for it leaving Uusikaupunki without one. [&:]

Back on topic was it not unheard of to order a UK spec car abroad when UK prices were a great deal higher in relation to Europe than today?

Also Cyprus is RHD.

JCB..

 

[ajb986]

Thank you. That clears up the colour issue.

The car was delivered to Motokinisi on 22/9/2000. There is no indication of the UK OPC but the car was first registered in the UK 10/2000 and I have correspondence from Porsche Assistance dated February 2001 to the first owner who lived in Kent. The first service stamp is by Lindbrook OPC in Tonbridge at 4k in Marck 2002.

One conclusion could be that the car was originally purchased by a member of the armed forces stationed in Cyprus, tax free and then shipped to the UK. Hence the low mileage over the first year.

Another, as previously mentioned, dealers purchase stock to meet demand.

I don't know if this helps shed any more light on proceedings. Not an issue, just interested to learn the origin of my Boxster.

By the way, I nearly bought a 964 as my first venture into Porsche ownership. The 964 is indeed a great car but I am delighted with my choice. The S never fails to bring a smile to an old mans face.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: ajb986

One conclusion could be that the car was originally purchased by a member of the armed forces stationed in Cyprus, tax free and then shipped to the UK. Hence the low mileage over the first year.

As an ex-member I don't give much credence to that one! []

 

[ajb986]

Perhaps you are right John.

Regardless, at the end of the day they are all imports.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

I think you've got a grey import there.

Does it say C16 as the first option code on the sticker under the bonnet (or in the front of the service book)?
UK dealers did not have "stock". All cars are allocated to the dealer - they don't buy from other countries.

Probably ordered by someone like Autobahn, imported, and sold in Feb. When did the Porsche Assistance run out?

Differences with a Cyprus car are likely to be:
Smaller battery (not much cold weather to have to crank the engine over in).
Different anti-corrosion protection.
Have you got CD changer prep (wires in the front boot at the top-right of the spare tyre)?

It was pretty common to get grey imports then as the UK waiting list was so long (hence no-stock!) and there was a saving to be made against UK prices.

 

[ajb986]

Mark,

Thank you for the reply.

From the manual the option codes are as follows;

C98, 139, 197, 249, 340, 432, 441, 490, 551, 567, 571, 573, 584, 946

Unfortunately I didn't look for the CD prep...the car is all tucked up...wet and windy in Lancs today. Will check later.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If I recall - C98 is a Cyprus spec car...
If it had been ordered for the UK market is would (normally - John's didn't) have C16 instead.

 

[ajb986]

This could be the case but out of interest I may dig deeper.

By the way, the Porsche Assistance was valid for 1 year, ending September 2002.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: ajb986

This could be the case but out of interest I may dig deeper.

By the way, the Porsche Assistance was valid for 1 year, ending September 2002.

Happy hunting!

I spent quite some time trying to find out why my car which isn't a grey import could be mistaken for one. The answer from Porsche in Germany (Porsche Cars Reading were next to useless) was that for a period of time some cars left the factory with no country code in the option list. That's it with no explaination and no possibility of having a new one released!

JCB..

 

[Mark_Bennett]

If it ended in Sept 2002 - then that was 2 years from original delivery (from the Cyprus OPC to the importer).
All the evidence is adding up[]
If it was supplied "new" from a UK dealer then the Porsche Assistance would have run from the first UK registration date.

By the way - If your car was a Sept 2000 car then it should be a model year 2001 (model years run Sept of the previous year to Aug of the model year). I bet yours is a 2001 (though there is not much, if anything different... I think it might be just white led's ("orientation lights") that shine on to the ignition key and somewhere else I've forgotten!).

 

[ajb986]

Delivered to Motokinisi 22/9/2000
Registered UK: (awaiting V5 return to confirm) Traders records show 10/2000
Porsche Assistance (from Croydon) expiry date: 21/9/2002
Therefore, you are correct Mark, 2 year assistance - most likely from first UK registration (will verify upon receipt of V5)

The Vin Number confirms the car is a 2000 model
10th letter = Y
11th character Assembly Plant = S

Silver crest on 3 spoke steering wheel

 

[russtbird]

Hi Alan - what does the silver crest on the 3 spoke wheel signify? I've seen coloured crests too & I always wondered why the difference?

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: russtbird

Hi Alan - what does the silver crest on the 3 spoke wheel signify? I've seen coloured crests too & I always wondered why the difference?

For MY2K the silver crest 3 spoke wheel was an option. The coloured crest came later.

JCB..

 

[russtbird]

Thanks John. I have the 3 spoke and it's listed as an option on the original bill but I always wondered about the crest...

Alan - whilst browsing eBay tonight I came across this - of any interest?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/porsche-boxster-boxter-GREY-LEATHERS_W0QQitemZ4631951889QQcategoryZ10408QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[ajb986]

I understand that the silver 'Millennium' crest was used on 986/996 models for year 2000 only. The silver crest should not be seen on any other model year.

These models are worth significantly more, than those with the standard coloured crest, particularly in Zenith Blue.

 

[ajb986]

Thanks Russ, just had a look and may be worth a bid.